Let Win8 also have a Start menu of Stardock Start8 software

[Computer Store News] Microsoft's next-generation Windows 8 system canceled the start button and the start menu. The nostalgia and dissatisfaction of new and old users gave birth to many alternative software. The Start8 developed by the famous third-party beautification software company Stardock is one of them. paragraph. Compared to the same type, Start8 is not a simple repetition of the Windows 7 start menu, it also provides a wealth of customization features.

Installation

The Start8 is only 6.4MB in size and the installation process can be said to be completed in an instant. When running for the first time, Start8 will automatically adjust the appearance according to the device environment. The interface displayed by the touch screen user and the mouse user is different. In addition, it allows you to set the behavior that is triggered when you click on its icon, either to display the start menu or to enter the start screen, but the user cannot add a solid top application to the start menu by drag and drop.

User Interface

Normally, Start8 looks like the traditional Windows 7 Start menu when it starts up for the first time. But in fact, users can make adjustments in various ways. Appearance, it can retain the tradition of Windows 7, but also follow the Metro style of Windows 8. In terms of behavior, it can not only integrate the convenience of Windows 8 dynamic tile into the user's long-accustomed start menu, but also directly as a shortcut to enter the start screen.

Compared to the traditional Windows 7 Start menu, Start8 offers more detail options. Common functions such as running, control panel, and documentation can be used as links, as menus, and can be completely hidden. “All programs” can also be arranged in a hierarchical and orderly manner.

Start8 also supports the "Jump List" function, which allows users to easily open recently used documents, applications, and some common functions, and adjust the number of documents displayed.

For stubborn nostalgia, Start8 can set the Win key on the keyboard to open the menu instead of entering the Windows 8 start screen. It also disables various triggering behaviors on the corners of the screen, preventing users from inadvertently opening the Charm toolbar or task menu, or even disabling all Metro style Windows 8 apps from appearing on the Start menu. In the Start8 desktop option, you can also specify that Window 8 skips the start screen at startup and goes directly to desktop mode.

After installing this software, the start button will return to the taskbar. In fact, its appearance is also customizable, you can choose between Windows 7 and Windows 8, you can also use the StarDock trademark or other user-specified images.

Running Performance

The Start8 search box is not only responsive but also powerful. Not only does the search range include both Windows 8 applications and traditional desktop applications, but search results can be presented in the same way as Windows 7.

Compared with similar software, another advantage of Start8 is its user-friendly setting interface, which divides different options into "Style" (Style), “Settings  (Configure), “Control" (Control) and “Desktop Desktop five groups, the user can also preview the changes when adjusting the options.

Some people may say that since you can't abandon the start menu, don't choose Windows 8. In fact, Start8 just makes the new system more user-friendly, no longer insists that users accept the radical idea, but let the system adapt to the needs of users.

Conclusion

Start8 combines a simple interface with powerful features. Although not free, its price of $5 (about 31 yuan) is worthy of its name as the best start menu app.